CONFLICT THESAURUS

HAVING TO BEAT THE CLOCK



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HELPFUL TIP:

Conflict is your story’s secret sauce, supplying tension, friction, and complications to a character’s journey. It comes in a million different forms, so identify the obstacles and problems that will hit your character the hardest by using the Character Builder to uncover their primary insecurities, fears , and desires. Don’t forget to include everyday conflict scenarios that will frustrate them and keep the pressure high.
CATEGORY:
Duty and Responsibility, increased pressure and ticking clocks, loss of control

EXAMPLES:
The character falling ill or being injured and having less time to complete a task 
A deadline being bumped up
A client adding to the scope of work in the middle of a project
Needing to gather evidence or find witnesses before a trial date 
Having to get somewhere by a certain time and running into traffic, construction, a parade, etc.
Missing a bus, ferry, or other mode of transport
Being given an ultimatum by a loved one to shape up or else
Only having a short period of time to divert a disaster (a bomb going off, an asteroid strike, etc.)

MINOR COMPLICATIONS:
Loss of sleep due to working long nights
Decreased productivity in other areas of life
Making mistakes due to rushing
Foregoing fun and relaxing activities in favor of getting the job done
Having to learn on the job
Becoming scatterbrained and forgetful because there's just too much going on
Losing patience (snapping at people, being discourteous, etc.)
The character falling behind and the boss or client losing confidence in them 
Sacrificing quality for completion; settling for "good enough"
Friction with family members over personal sacrifices needing to be made to meet the deadline
Blaming other people instead of taking responsibility for one's actions

POTENTIALLY DISASTROUS RESULTS:
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RESULTING EMOTIONS:
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POSSIBLE INTERNAL STRUGGLES:
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PEOPLE WHO COULD BE NEGATIVELY AFFECTED:
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NEGATIVE TRAITS THAT COULD MAKE THE SITUATION WORSE:
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IMPACT ON BASIC NEEDS:
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WOUNDS THIS COULD LEAD TO:
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POSITIVE TRAITS TO HELP THE CHARACTER COPE:
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POSITIVE OUTCOMES:
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